kakalistiq.com reports that on Saturday, November 30, 2024, Epe youths came together to redefine the narrative of leadership in Nigeria at the inaugural Federation of Epe Division Students Association (FEDSA) National Leadership Conference. Held at Epe Club, Lagos, the event themed “Leadership with Purpose: Creating a Culture of Innovation and Excellence” provided a platform for young leaders to explore strategies for purposeful leadership and national development.
Comrade Adesanya Ibrahim, the National President of FEDSA, opened the conference with an impassioned address emphasizing its relevance. “This conference is a proactive measure to address the leadership gap among youths,” he said. “By catching them young, we can inspire a paradigm shift and foster innovation and excellence in leadership.”
The keynote speaker, Professor Nosiru Onibon, set the tone for discussions, outlining the “Five Cs” of effective leadership: competence, character, courage, collaboration, and compassion. Drawing on these principles, Mr. Kassim Adegboyega reflected on the program’s impact. “Most leaders today lead by head and mouth, not by heart. Effective service must be given to the people,” he asserted, adding that the conference exposed young minds to the essence of purposeful leadership.
The importance of sustaining the program was a recurring theme. Mustapha Shittu, representing the Lagos State NYCN Chairman, Engr. Ibrahim Olamilekan Adigun described the event as a “right step in the right direction.” He lauded its inclusion of secondary school students, saying, “It is important that young people discover their leadership skills early to minimize leadership challenges in the future.”
Comrade Ibrahim Ogunsanwo, Treasurer of the Lagos State Chapter of NYCN, highlighted the program’s role in inspiring attendees to rethink leadership. “Aspiring leaders must develop personal skills before contributing to their communities,” he advised, urging participants to prioritize education.
Mrs. Lawal Bukola, Senior Special Assistant on Education and Adult Literacy for Lekki LCDA, expressed admiration for the event. “It exceeded my expectations and was incredibly impactful,” she remarked. Encouraging youths to invest in self-development, she added, “Leadership is not about wishing or willing; it must be backed by action.”
Ambassador Rahman Saheed, a parliamentarian for Lagos East Senatorial District at the Nigerian Youth Parliament, stressed the importance of character, competence, and capacity in addressing Nigeria’s leadership challenges. “These are valuable weapons for tackling our national conundrums,” he said, motivating participants to rise above mediocrity.
For Ogunbiyi Hafsah, a third-year law student at Lagos State University, the conference was transformative. “The keynote speaker’s insights on transparency and solving societal problems were particularly impactful,” she said. She emphasized the need for innovation rooted in a desire to serve society.
The conference was the centrepiece of a week-long event that featured diverse activities, including webinars on career development and mental health, community clean-up exercises, panel discussion sessions and an essay competition. The highlight was a Unity Football Novelties Match, where the Epe Federal Constituency team triumphed over their Ibeju-Lekki counterparts.
With participation from students across secondary schools and higher institutions like LASU, LASUSTECH, and YABATECH, the conference not only bridged the leadership gap but also instilled a renewed commitment to excellence. Comrade Adesanya summed it up: “This is just the beginning. Together, we are building a culture of purposeful leadership to inspire a better Nigeria.”
